Coronary artery disease in patients undergoing cardiac surgery for non-coronary lesions in a tertiary care centre

Background

The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in patients undergoing surgery for various valvular as well as non-valvular cardiac pathologies.

Methods

Patients with various valvular and non-valvular pathologies were selected. All patients with age ≥40 years and an indication for open heart surgery underwent pre-operative coronary angiogram and were included in the study.

Results

The mean age was 51.5 ± 9.02 years. 178 (59.3%) patients were males and 122 (40.7%) patients were females. Out of 300 patients, 270 (90%) patients had valvular heart disease (VHD) and 30 (10%) patients had non-valvular heart disease. Rheumatic heart disease (RHD), mitral valve prolapse (MVP), degenerative aortic valve disease (DAVD) and bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) was present in 161 (53.7%), 17 (5.7%), 60 (20%) and 32 (10.7%) patients respectively. Overall, 26 (8.7%) patients were found to have significant CAD. CAD was significantly more common in patients with VHD as compared to patients with other etiologies (1 patient, 3.3%, p < 0.05). In the valvular group, DAVD patients had maximum prevalence of CAD (14 patients, 23.4%, p < 0.05). In the group with CAD, the presence of variables such as age >60 years, male sex, typical angina, HT, dyslipidemia and smoking were significantly greater as compared to those with normal coronaries.

Conclusion

The overall prevalence of CAD among patients undergoing non-coronary cardiac surgery is 8.7%. Coronary artery disease is relatively uncommon in patients with rheumatic VHD (4.9%), while its prevalence is highest in DAVD (23.4%).     

Cardiac syndrome X: Clinical characteristics revisited

Background

Cardiac syndrome X includes a heterogenous group of patients with angina but normal epicardial coronaries in angiography.

Objective

Our objective was to study the clinical characteristics of patients with cardiac syndrome X.

Methods

Data of patients who underwent coronary angiography over a period of one year was retrospectively analyzed. Those with normal or non-obstructive coronaries in angiography with chest pain were included in this study.

Results

1203 patients underwent coronary angiography during the study period. 105 (8.7%) patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 52 (49.5%) males and 53 (50.5%) females including 31 (29.5%) postmenopausal women. Many patients had atherosclerotic risk factors. Typical angina and atypical chest pain were reported by 63 (60%) and 42 (40%) patients, respectively. ECG was normal in 46 (43.8%) and abnormal in 59 (56.2%) patients. The most common abnormal finding in ECG was ST-T changes seen in 49 (46.7%) patients. Regional wall motion abnormality with mild left ventricular systolic dysfunction was seen in 4 (3.8%) patients while 101 (96.2%) patients had normal ventricular function in echocardiography. TMT was positive for inducible ischemia in 35 (33.3%) patients and inconclusive in 10 (9.5%) patients. Angiography showed normal epicardial coronaries in 85 (80.9%) patients.

Conclusions

Cardiac syndrome X constitutes a significant subset of patients undergoing coronary angiography. It is essential to identify and treat them specifically for microvascular angina. Many of them have atherosclerotic risk factors but their presentation is different from those with obstructive coronaries.     

A prospective study evaluating efficacy of polymer free Pronova XR stent in treatment of denovo coronary artery stenosis

Background

Drug eluting stents have remarkably improved results of percutaneous coronary angioplasty. Most of the currently available drug eluting stents uses a durable polymer as drug carrier which has been implicated in local inflammatory response and continued incidence of late and very late stent thrombosis. The Pronova XR stent is one from those new generation polymer free sirolimus eluting stents in which pharmaceutical excipient is used for the timed release of sirolimus from the XR stent platform instead of a polymeric coating.

Methodology

We consecutively recruited 121 patients undergoing elective or urgent PCI at our center. All the patients were followed up clinically and mandatory follow up angiogram at 6 months was done for one third of the total patients. An independent core lab analyzed paired angiograms.

Results

The primary efficacy endpoint was death, MI, TVR at 6 months which occurred in 6.66% patients. The QCA analysis showed reference vessel diameter of 2.5 + 0.44 mm at baseline and the minimal luminal diameter was 0.88 + 0.43 mm giving baseline diameter stenosis of 65.26 + 15.89%. The immediate post procedure in-segment diameter stenosis assessed was 23.68 + 8.96% which increased to 36.02 + 24.48% at follow up with a late lumen loss of 0.25 + 0.76 mm at mean of 191 days.

Conclusion

Coronary angioplasty with polymer free Pronova XR stents results in acceptable late lumen loss and very low target lesion revascularisation at short and intermediate term in unselected patients.     

Characteristics,treatment and one-year outcomes of patients with acute coronary syndrome in a tertiary hospital in India

Background

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a major cause of death in India. Data on outcome of CAD is scarce in the Indian population. This study determined the characteristics, treatment and one-year outcomes of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) in an Indian Cardiac Centre.

Methods

We carried out a cross sectional retrospective analysis of 1468 ACS patients hospitalized between January 2008 and December 2010 and followed up for 1 year in the Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases, Madras Medical Mission, Chennai. Mortality at 1 year, its determinants and 1 year major adverse cardiac events (MACE) were determined.

Results

The patients were aged 62.2 ± 11.2 years; males (75.2%) and had ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (33.9%), non ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (44.2%) and unstable angina (21.9%). Key pharmacotherapy included aspirin (98.2%), clopidogrel (95.1%), statins (95.6%), angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (50.6%) and beta blocker (83.1%). Angiography rate was 80.6%. In the STEMI group, 53.3% had primary angioplasty, 20.3% were thrombolysed and 16.1% received sole medical therapy. Overall coronary artery bypass graft rate was 12.4%. At one year, all-cause mortality and composite MACE were 2.5% and 9.7%, respectively. MACE included death (2.5%), reinfarction (4.0%), resuscitated cardiac arrest (1.8%), stroke (1.1%) and bleeding (0.4%). Main factors associated with mortality were combined left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction (OR = 20.0, 95% CI = 6.63–69.4) and positive troponin I (OR = 12.56, 95% CI = 1.78–25.23). Troponin I independently predicted mortality.

Conclusions

ACS population was older than previously described in India. Evidence-based pharmacotherapy and interventions, and outcomes were comparable to the developed nations.     

Coronary sinus filling time: A novel method to assess microcirculatory function in patients with angina and normal coronaries

ObjectiveDysfunction of the coronary microcirculation is considered as one of the factors responsible for symptoms and abnormal stress tests in patients with angina and normal coronaries (syndrome X). We sought to evaluate the usefulness of coronary sinus filling time (CSFT) to assess coronary microcirculation in this group of patients.MethodsWe compared the CSFT of patients having definite angina or atypical angina with positive treadmill electrocardiography test (angina group), with that of patients undergoing coronary angiogram (CAG) prior to balloon mitral valvuloplasty (control group). During CAG, coronary sinus was visualized in appropriate views and CSFT in seconds was derived from frame count. Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow grade, corrected TIMI (cTIMI) frame count, TIMI Myocardial Perfusion grade (TMP) were assessed.ResultsThere were 41 patients in angina group and 16 in control group. Among the angina group 68.8% were females as against 81.8% in the control group. 87.8% (n = 36) had typical angina. Mean CSFT was 4.25 ± 0.72 s and 3.46 ± 0.99 s in the angina group and control group respectively (p = 0.001). No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to TMP (p = 0.68) & cTIMI frame count (p = 0.22).ConclusionCSFT is a simple method to assess the transit time through coronary microcirculation. CSFT was significantly delayed in patients with angina and normal coronaries. TMP and cTIMI frame count were not significantly different between groups.     

Impact of catheter fragmentation followed by local intrapulmonary thrombolysis in acute high risk pulmonary embolism as primary therapy

Background

Pulmonary embolism (PE) with more than 50% compromise of pulmonary circulation results significant right ventricular (RV) afterload leading to progressive RV failure, systemic hypotension and shock. Prompt restoration of thrombolysis, surgical embolectomy, or percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT) prevents progressive hemodynamic decline. We report our single center experience in high risk PE patients treated with standard pigtail catheter mechanical fragmentation followed by intrapulmonary thrombolysis as a primary therapy.

Methods

50 consecutive patients with diagnosis of high risk PE defined as having shock index >1 with angiographic evidence of >50% pulmonary arterial occlusion are included in the present study. All patients underwent emergent cardiac catheterization. After ensuring flow across pulmonary artery with mechanical breakdown of embolus by rotating 5F pigtail catheter; bolus dose of urokinase (4400 IU/kg) followed by infusion for 24 h was given in the thrombus. Hemodynamic parameters were recorded and follow up pulmonary angiogram was done. Clinical and echo follow up was done for one year.

Results

Pigtail rotational mechanical thrombectomy restored antegrade flow in all patients. The mean pulmonary artery pressure, Miller score, Shock index decreased significantly from 41 ± 8 mmHg, 20 ± 5, 1.32 ± 0.3 to 24.52 ± 6.89, 5.35 ± 2.16, 0.79 ± 0.21 respectively (p < 0.0001). In-hospital major complications were seen in 4 patients. There was a statistically significant reduction of PA pressures from 62 ± 11 mmHg to 23±6 mmHg on follow up.

Conclusions

Rapid reperfusion of pulmonary arteries with mechanical fragmentation by pigtail catheter followed by intrapulmonary thrombolysis results in excellent immediate and intermediate term outcomes in patients presenting with high risk pulmonary embolism.     

Modified radial v/s biatrial maze for atrial fibrillation in rheumatic valvular heart surgery

Background

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonest sustained atrial arrhythmia producing high morbidity. Although Cox''s Maze III procedure cures AF in majority, reduced atrial transport function (ATF) is a concern. Radial approach with ablation lines radial from sinus node towards atrioventricular annulii and parallel to atrial coronary arteries, has shown better ATF.

Methods

Single blind open randomized prospective study of 80 patients was undertaken in two groups (40 each) of modified Cox''s maze III and modified radial approach, to evaluate conversion to normal sinus rhythm (NSR) and ATF. Patients undergoing surgery for rheumatic valvular heart disease with continuous AF were prospectively randomized. Ablation lines were created with radiofrequency (RF) bipolar coagulation with cryoablation for the isthmal lesions and coronary sinus. Results were compared at 6 months and ATF was evaluated by atrial filling fraction (AFF) and A/E ratio on echocardiography.

Results

The rate of conversion to NSR in both groups was statistically insignificant by Fisher''s exact test (p > 0.05). ATF was better in modified radial approach compared to modified Cox''s Maze III (A/E compared by unpaired t test:0.52 ± 0.08 v/s 0.36 ± 0.10; p < 0.05. AFF compared using Mann Whitney U test: median AFF for radial group was 23 v/s 20 for biatrial group; p < 0.05).

Discussion

In patients with AF undergoing rheumatic valvular surgery, radiofrequency radial approach is as effective as modified Cox''s maze III for conversion to NSR with better atrial transport function.     

Three-year data from the XIENCE V® INDIA study: Safety and efficacy of XIENCE V® in 1000 real world Indian patients

Background

Cardiovascular disease in Asia has reached epidemic proportions in recent years. Use of drug eluting stents in Asians has rapidly expanded with varying penetration rates across different countries. The XIENCE V^® INDIA Study included ‘real world’ patients who underwent XIENCE V^® stent implantation to assess short and intermediate term outcomes in Indian patients with diverse risk factors.

Objective

To evaluate 3-year clinical outcomes in a cohort of ‘real world’ Indian patients with CAD being treated with XIENCE V^® Everolimus Eluting Coronary Stent System.

Methods

1000 patients were enrolled from 18 sites in India between June 2008 and March 2009. Patients were included if their index procedures were completed using only XIENCE V^®. There were no clinical or angiographic exclusions. An independent Clinical Events Committee adjudicated all endpoint-related events. The primary endpoint was stent thrombosis rate annually through to 3 years as defined by the Academic Research Consortium criteria. The co-primary endpoint was the composite rate of cardiac death and myocardial infarction at 1 year.

Results

At 1-year the primary endpoint of definite/probable stent thrombosis rate was 0.51%. No additional very late stent thrombosis was reported through a 3-year follow up. The composite endpoint of cardiac death and any myocardial infarction was 1.9%, 2.7% and 3.1% at 1, 2 and 3 years respectively.

Conclusion

Despite the high risk population of coronary artery disease, the use of XIENCE V^® in ''real world'' Indian patients was associated with very low clinical event rates upto three years of follow up.     

Which statin worked best to achieve lipid level targets in a European registry? A post-hoc analysis of the EUROASPIRE III for coronary heart disease patients

Objective

The objective of the study is to determine the proportion of patients within the subsample reaching the target lipid levels defined in the European guidelines, stratified according to type and dose of statin used.

Background

Many factors affect the attainment of lipid level targets including gender, age, compliance, statin type, and dosage. This study aimed to determine the percentage of post-interventional coronary heart disease (CHD) patients who met the lipid level targets recommended by the Joint European Societies Guidelines, the medications used, and their doses.

Methods

A post-hoc analysis of a subsample of 2,000 patients from EUROASPIRE III database was selected randomly from patients who attended the interviews (between six months to three years after event). Further stratification according to type and dose of statin was performed.

Results

The sample comprised 74.5% males, and two thirds (63.8%) of the entire sample were over 60 years of age. More women than men showed elevated total cholesterol (>4.5 mmol/l and >4.0 mmol/l), LDL-cholesterol (>2.5 mmol/l and >2.0 mmol/l), and triglycerides (>1.7 mmol/l). Atorvastatin was the most widely used at both discharge and interview (47.1% and 45.4%) than simvastatin (37.7% and 39.4%). A dose of 20 mg atorvastatin was used by 44.10% of patients, while those on fluvastatin used a higher dose: ⩾40 mg in 88.31%. Patients who achieved targeted total cholesterol levels for atorvastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin and simvastatin showed a trend in dose increase. Pravastatin users who achieved the target were taking a dose of 10 mg (75%) and less were in the 20 mg group (33.33%). Rosuvastatin users who consumed 10 mg and ⩾40 mg dose achieved the lipid level targets by 61.82% and 66.67%, respectively.

Conclusion

Compliance with medications was high after a CHD incident in this European sample and the increase of the atorvastatin and simvastatin doses enabled the attainment of the target levels recommended.Abbreviations: CHD, Coronary Heart Disease; CK, Creatine Kinase concentration; CABG, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft; PTCA, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty; AMI, Acute Myocardial Infarction; CVD, Cardiovascular Diseases     

Periprocedural plasma fibrinogen levels and coronary stent outcome

Aim

Percutaneous intervention is one of the treatment option for coronary artery disease. Reinfarction and restenosis is one of the complication of the procedure. So this study was conducted to assess plasma fibrinogen levels pre- and post coronary stenting and its relation with outcome.

Methods

After obtaining informed consent, venous blood samples were collected at three timed points in relation to stenting – 24 h before, 24 h after and 72 h after stenting to assess fibrinogen levels. Patients were followed up for six months. Repeat revascularization, myocardial infarction and symptomatic angina were considered as major adverse clinical events.

Results

57 patients who underwent successful stenting and followed up for six months up were included in the study. Mean age was 53 years and 87.7% were males and 29.8% were diabetics. Baseline plasma fibrinogen level was significantly high in patients who developed repeat angina and myocardial infarction after the stenting [288.64 ± 59.43 vs 393.75 ± 32.97 mg/dL, p = 0.003] and it remained high during serial assessment [322.74 ± 63.92 vs 422.00 ± 55.28 mg/dL, 326.23 ± 65.81 vs 419.50 ± 45.82 mg/dL, 0.008, 0.012 respectively]. Patients who developed adverse events denied any drug default.

Conclusion

We conclude that plasma fibrinogen plays a significant role in the development of adverse events following stenting shown by high level of plasma fibrinogen in patients who developed adverse events.     

Prospective study to evaluate safety and efficacy of Zotarolimus Eluting Stent (PSEZES) in patients with long coronary artery lesions

Background

Although the safety and effectiveness of Drug-Eluting Stents (DES) has been established extensively, reports on long term clinical outcome with angiographic findings in patients with long coronary artery lesions are not many.

Methods

In this single-center prospective registry of 100 patients, a total of 110 denovo long lesions (>20 mm) were treated with Resolute Zotarolimus Eluting Stent (R-ZES). The patients were followed up clinically at 3, 6 and 12 months and follow up coronary angiography was performed at 9-months. The primary end point was one year rate of target lesion failure (TLF) which is a composite of cardiac death, target lesion myocardial infarction or ischemia driven target lesion revascularization (TLR). The secondary end points included definite or probable stent thrombosis, 9-month angiographic restenosis and late lumen loss.

Results

The mean age of patients was 58.7 ± 9.50 years with prevalence of diabetes as high as 60%. The mean lesion length was 24.67 ± 4.87 mm with a mean reference vessel diameter of 2.85 ± 0.32 mm and 67.3% were Type C lesions (ACC/AHA classification). Two patients died during follow-up, of which one was non-cardiac death. One patient had target vessel myocardial infarction and five patients (4.5%) had ischemia driven TLR. The incidence of TLF was 6.36%. Binary restenosis was seen in 7 out of 93 lesions (7.5%). Median late lumen loss at 9 month was 0.22 mm. No stent thrombosis was noted in the study.

Conclusion

Implantation of R-ZES in real-world patients with long coronary artery lesions is safe with comparable efficacy to what is observed in the treatment of less complex lesions.     

Increased Cardiovascular Disease,Resource Use,and Costs Before the Clinical Diagnosis of Diabetes in Veterans in the Southeastern U.S.

Importance

Screening for diabetes might be more widespread if adverse associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD), resource use, and costs were known to occur earlier than conventional clinical diagnosis.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine whether adverse effects associated with diabetes begin prior to clinical diagnosis.

Design

Veterans with diabetes were matched 1:2 with controls by follow-up, age, race/ethnicity, gender, and VA facility. CVD was obtained from ICD-9 codes, and resource use and costs from VA datasets.

Setting

VA facilities in SC, GA, and AL.

Participants

Patients with and without diagnosed diabetes.

Main Outcome Measures

Diagnosed CVD, resource use, and costs.

Results

In this study, the 2,062 diabetic patients and 4,124 controls were 63 years old on average, 99 % male, and 29 % black; BMI was 30.8 in diabetic patients vs. 27.8 in controls (p<0.001). CVD prevalence was higher and there were more outpatient visits in Year −4 before diagnosis through Year +4 after diagnosis among diabetic vs. control patients (all p<0.01); in Year −2, CVD prevalence was 31 % vs. 24 %, and outpatient visits were 22 vs. 19 per year, respectively. Total VA costs/year/veteran were higher in diabetic than control patients from Year −4 ($4,083 vs. $2,754) through Year +5 ($8,347 vs. $5,700) (p<0.003) for each, reflecting underlying increases in outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy costs (p<0.05 for each). Regression analysis showed that diabetes contributed an average of $1,748/year to costs, independent of CVD (p<0.001).

Conclusions and Relevance

VA costs per veteran are higher—over $1,000/year before and $2,000/year after diagnosis of diabetes—due to underlying increases in outpatient, inpatient, and pharmacy costs, greater number of outpatient visits, and increased CVD. Moreover, adverse associations with veterans’ health and the VA healthcare system occur early in the natural history of the disease, several years before diabetes is diagnosed. Since adverse associations begin before diabetes is recognized, greater consideration should be given to systematic screening in order to permit earlier detection and initiation of preventive management. Keeping frequency of CVD and marginal costs in line with those of patients before diabetes is currently diagnosed has the potential to save up to $2 billion a year.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s11606-014-3075-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.Key words: diabetes, health care cost, cardiovascular disease, prediabetes     

Prognosis of primary percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction

Objective

To evaluate the prognosis of primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PPCI) and medical therapy (MT) in elderly patients presenting with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Methods

A total of 238 STEMI patients aged above 80 and treated with PPCI (n = 186) and MT (n = 52) at Harefield Hospital, London were included in this study. Patients who did not have true STEMI based on non-diagnostic electrocardiogram (ECG) for STEMI and negative troponin, who presented with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and had normal coronaries were excluded from this study. Primary PCI was defined as any use of a guidewire for more than diagnostic purposes in patients with STEMI, whereas conventional MT was defined as treatment of patients with anti-platelets and anti-thrombotic medications without thrombolysis.

Results

The survival rate of PPCI patients was 86% (n = 160) at month 1 followed by 83.9% (n = 156) at month 6, and 81.2% (n = 151) at month 12. The survival rate of MT patients was 44.2% (n = 23) at month 1 followed by 36.5% (n = 19) at month 6, and 34.6% (n = 18) at month 12. Compared to MT, significantly fewer comorbidities were found in the PPCI group. Ventricular fibrillation (VF) (4.8%) and consequent admission to intensive care unit (7%) were the major complications of the PPCI group.

Conclusion

PPCI has a higher survival rate and, compared to MT, fewer comorbidities were observed in the PPCI group of elderly patients presenting with STEMI.     

Gender-related differences in the presentation,management, and outcomes among patients with acute coronary syndrome from Oman

Objective

To assess gender-related differences in the presentation, management, and in-hospital outcomes among acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients from Oman.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 1579 consecutive ACS patients from Oman during May 8, 2006 to June 6, 2006 and January 29, 2007 to June 29, 2007, as part of Gulf RACE (Registry of Acute Coronary Events). Analyses were conducted using univariate and multivariate statistical techniques.

Results

In this study, 608 (39%) patients were women with mean age 62 ± 12 vs. 57 ± 13 years (p < 0.001). More women were seen in the older age groups (age <55 years: 25% vs. 43%, 55–74 years: 60% vs. 49% and >75 years: 15% vs. 8%; p < 0.001). Women had higher frequencies of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, obesity, angina, and aspirin use, but less history of smoking. Women were significantly less likely to have ischemic chest pain, ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-STEMI and were more likely to have dyspnea, unstable angina, ST depression and left bundle branch block. Both groups received ACS medications and cardiac catheterization equally; however, women received anticoagulants (88% vs. 79%; p < 0.001), angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (70% vs. 65%; p = 0.050) more and clopidogrel less (20% vs. 29%; p < 0.001). Women experienced more recurrent ischemia and heart failure but with similar in-hospital mortality (4.6% vs. 4.3%) even after adjusting for age (p = 0.500).

Conclusions

Women admitted with ACS were older than men, had more risk factors, presented differently with no difference in hospital mortality. This is similar to Gulf RACE study except for mortality. Women received anticoagulants/ACEIs /ARBs more but were under-treated with clopidogrel.     

Do circulating blood cell types correlate with modifiable risk factors and outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

Aims

Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory process with different cardiovascular risk factors (CVRFs) contributing to its pathogenesis. We aimed to evaluate the specific relationship between circulating blood leukocytes, troponin I and CVRFs.

Methods

We prospectively enrolled 959 patients with evidence of acute coronary syndrome either in form of unstable angina or STEMI or NSTEMI. Details demographic characteristics, CVRF and biochemical parameters such as total white blood cells (WBC), neutrophil, lymphocytes, platelet, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and troponin I were collected.

Results

The results indicated that patients having either hypertension, diabetes or smoking habit had significantly higher levels of total WBC (p = 0.013), neutrophil (p = 0.029), NLR (p = 0.029) and PLR (p = 0.009). The level of troponin I was unaffected by these risk factors. Significant association of hypertension was found with total WBC (p = 0.0392), lymphocytes (p = 0.0384) and PLR (p = 0.0027), whereas in diabetes and females all other leukocyte subtypes were significantly altered except for platelet and troponin I. Smokers had higher level of total WBC count (p = 0.0033) and PLR (p = 0.0464). No relationship between CVRFs and leukocytes was observed in males. The age independent effect was observed with PLR, whereas association with total WBC, lymphocytes, NLR, platelet was specific in older population. In younger patients NLR (p = 0.0453) is more likely to be elevated. Mortality was significantly associated with changes in the leukocytes but not with the CVRF presence.

Conclusion

We demonstrate that the neutrophils, lymphocytes and total WBC along with its ratios predict mortality and are more likely to be elevated in presence of CVRFs.     

Sleep quality and duration – Potentially modifiable risk factors for Coronary Artery Disease?

Purpose

Previous studies have shown that lack of sleep exerts deleterious effects on a variety of systems with detectable changes in metabolic, endocrine and immune pathways. Both short and long sleep durations are related to increased likelihood of diabetes and hypertension. However, the relation between sleep duration, sleep quality and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is not clear in the Indian population. We examined the hypothesis that sleep duration (compared with <6 h) and quality of sleep (PSQI > 5) are risk factors for CAD.

Methods

A retrospective & controlled study was conducted on 352 adult (>18 yrs) subjects (176 controls and 176 cases, 60% men, age M = 51 ± 9.38). Sleep quality and duration was measured with Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Poor sleep quality and short sleep duration was defined as PSQI >5 and total sleep time <6.0 h, respectively. OSA patients were excluded from the study. The main outcome of interest was the presence of any CAD (n = 176), including MI, angina, and stroke. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using Multivariate Logistic Regression analysis.

Results

We found both poor quality of sleep and short sleep duration to be independently associated with CAD. Compared with a total sleep time of 6.0 h, the multivariate odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of CAD was 3.81 (1.69–8.58) whereas for poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) it came out to be 16.62 (9.13–30.28).

Conclusion

There was a positive association between both short sleep duration and poor sleep quality with CAD in a selected sample of Indian adults. These results suggest that poor sleep quality and short sleep duration may be important modifiable CAD risk factors in the Indian population.     

Real world experience with an indigenously manufactured stent Cobal C – A retrospective study

Background

Second generation bare metal stents made of cobalt chromium alloy are superior to first generation stain less steel stents. The thin struts are shown to reduce clinical and angiographic adverse outcomes.

Objective

To study the long term clinical and angiographic outcomes in patients who underwent coronary angioplasty with an indigenously made cobalt chromium bare metal stents with thin strut Cobal+C™ (Relisys).

Methods

A total of 268 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angioplasty with Cobal+C stents were studied retrospectively. Clinical follow up was done after a minimum period of nine months through telephonic interview and angiographic follow up was done in 80 patients chosen randomly. The end points analyzed included major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at nine months and the rate of binary restenosis at follow up angiogram done between 9 and 15 months post angioplasty.

Results

Thirty four percent were diabetic and 33% had acute myocardial infarction. Females constituted 17%. Mean stent diameter was 2.88 ± 0.28 and mean stent length 18.8 ± 4.2. MACE at nine months was 4.5% with TLR 0.3%. The rate of binary restenosis was 21%. Patients with longer stent lengths and non-compliance with medications had significantly higher rates of binary restenosis.

Conclusions

The use of Relisys Cobal+C stents was associated with good long term clinical and angiographic outcomes as evidenced by low incidence of MACE and binary restenosis rates for a bare metal stent.     

Value of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide in predicting prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in acute coronary syndrome

Background

Measurement of N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in the evaluation of patients with acute coronary syndrome has appeared to be a useful prognostic marker of cardiovascular risk.

Aim of the work

To assess the in-hospital prognostic value of NT-proBNP in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and its relation to the severity of coronary artery disease.

Patients and methods

This study included 132 consecutive patients with ACS, 64 patients with unstable angina (UA), 46 patients with non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and 22 patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). ECG, echocardiography and pre and post coronary angiography measurement of troponin I, creatine kinase (Ck), C-reactive protein (CRP) and NT-proBNP were done. Patients were divided into two groups: Group A with NT-proBNP less than 474 pg/ml and Group B with NT-proBNP equal or more than 474 pg/ml.

Results

There was a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP and ejection fraction. Incidence of heart failure and duration of hospital stay were significantly higher in Group B (with NT-proBNP equal or more than 474 pg/ml) than Group A (with NT-proBNP less than 474 pg/ml). Moreover, there was a trend to an increased incidence of cardiogenic shock and mortality in Group B compared to Group A. The number of coronary vessels affected, severity of stenosis and proximal left anterior descending artery (LAD) disease were higher in Group B than in Group A. TIMI flow grade was significantly higher in Group A than in Group B.

Conclusion

NT-proBNP is a valuable marker for predicting prognosis and severity of coronary artery disease in patients with acute coronary syndrome.